12+Sansom

Urban development is a delicate balancing act, and sometimes we must say goodbye to cherished local destinations in order to make way for a plan that is ultimately more beneficial to the community and to the city at large. One of such trade-offs is slated to occur at 7619 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia, where the Trolley Car Diner is set to meet the wrecking ball, to be replaced by a six-story, mixed-use residential development designed by Morrissey Design. Although the charming chrome, neon, mural, and freestanding trolley of the diner will be missed, the proposal at hand makes for more effective use of the site, bringing significant residential density within a two0-block walk of the Mount Airy Station of the SEPTA Regional Rail and replacing the auto-centric restaurant with pedestrian-friendly retail.

A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has discovered that some construction equipment has arrived at the site of the 149-unit residential development at 801 North 19th Street in Francisville, North Philadelphia, although construction has not yet begin. Designed by NORR, the complex will consist of a five-story, 115-unit apartment building as well as 34 three-story townhouses clustered around an interior courtyard and parking lot. The 104,596-square-foot multi-family building will offer units spanning between 498 to 1,004 square feet, an amenity area situated at the fifth floor, and 52 parking spaces in a basement garage.